San Diego crix tap ‘Famous’ as top pic

'Gladiator' cited three times

Journalists love stories about journalists. And when the onscreen reporter lives in San Diego, is there any doubt what film would win top honors from the San Diego Film Critics Society?

DreamWorks’ “Almost Famous” was tapped best pic, while local hero Cameron Crowe was cited for his original screenplay and his directing on the film.

The film also earned a fourth honor: Frances McDormand was named top supporting actress for the film, which is a loosely autobiographical look at Crowe’s teen years as a writer for Rolling Stone.

In voting dominated by DreamWorks and a pair of Crowes, “Gladiator” was cited three times despite its lack of San Diego-journalist connections.

The pic, released by DreamWorks domestically and Universal overseas, was saluted for best actor (Russell Crowe) and cinematography (John Mathieson), while Joaquin Phoenix was honored as supporting actor in three pics, including that toga epic.

The critics org consists of newspaper, TV, magazine, radio and Internet critics working in San Diego County.